Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt's interdisciplinary studies program produces earnings that lag behind both national and state expectations, with first-year graduates earning $31,806—about $3,500 below the Illinois median and nearly $7,000 below the national benchmark. While this places the program in the 40th percentile statewide (middle of the pack for Illinois), it's in just the 19th percentile nationally. The debt load of $28,474 compounds the challenge, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that makes those first years financially tight. For comparison, Eastern Illinois University graduates from the same program earn $50,862—60% more—though that's an outlier among Illinois schools.

The earnings trajectory does improve meaningfully, with a 21% increase by year four bringing graduates to $38,422. This closes the gap to near the state median and suggests the program may provide transferable skills that gain value with experience. However, starting this far behind makes the recovery difficult, particularly for the 46% of Roosevelt students receiving Pell grants who likely have limited family financial support.

The concerning reality: this program delivers below-average outcomes at above-average cost. If your child is considering interdisciplinary studies, look hard at Eastern Illinois or National Louis, both of which offer significantly stronger earnings potential in Illinois. Roosevelt's high admission rate and modest academic profile suggest less selective outcomes across the board. Unless there's a compelling geographic or personal reason to choose Roosevelt specifically, this program represents a financial risk that's hard to justify.